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Ukie calls on Government to press start on growth by reforming the Video Games Expenditure Credit

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The UK video games industry, a global leader in creativity and innovation, is urging the Government to reform the Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC) to ensure the sector remains internationally competitive and continues to drive growth.

Following an extensive piece of research with Nordicity, Ukie, the trade body representing the UK’s video games and interactive entertainment sector, is calling for two key changes to the VGEC:

  • A ‘games growth’ rate of 53% for projects with budgets of £10 million or lower, aimed at supporting smaller studios and encouraging creativity across the industry.
  • An increase in the current relief rate to 39% for larger projects with budgets exceeding £10 million (Enhanced Relief) and removing the 80% cap on qualifying expenditure that currently limits the support available.

These reforms will position the UK as having the most internationally competitive tax incentives for the video games industry, incentivising further investment in the UK while ensuring continued growth.

Nick Poole, Ukie CEO said:

“The UK’s video games industry has seen substantial growth, driven by the VGEC, but this competitive advantage has been eroded over the past decade. Our industry has the talent, the creativity, and the ambition to lead the world in game development. Now is the time to supercharge growth with a VGEC that fully supports studios of all sizes. By pressing start on this enhanced approach, it will not only support the industry’s long-term sustainability but also create new opportunities for job growth and economic impact.

The business case for reform:

  • Additional GVA: After five years, the proposed changes would generate an additional £479m in Gross Value Added (GVA) annually.
  • Job Creation: The changes are projected to support an additional 5,969 jobs in the UK.
  • Return on Investment: The overall return on investment in this scenario would generate an additional £1.87 for every £1 in VGEC disbursements, on top of the current £3.20 for every £1 invested.

While the VGEC has supported significant growth in the UK’s video games sector, developers still face challenges in accessing finance, often relying on overseas equity investment or eventual sale. This reliance puts the UK at risk of becoming part of a wider ‘incubator economy,’ where talent and innovation are not retained.

Call for Expanded Financial Support:

  • Ukie also calls for the UK Games Fund to be maintained and increased beyond its current £5.5 million annual budget to help meet growing demand for support in developing UK-based games and original intellectual property (IP).
  • A broader mix of financial options, including grants, loans, guarantees, equity, and debt, must be available to developers, with the Government encouraging funding bodies like the British Business Bank to provide debt and equity finance options for medium-sized creative industry companies, similar to the support provided for digital and tech sectors.

The UK’s creative industries already contribute £126 billion annually to the UK economy, with video games being a standout success. Ukie urges the Government to engage more closely with the sector, update outdated classifications, and align financial support to the needs of today’s industry.

“The UK games industry is a global success story, but maintaining that position requires bold action. Reforming the Video Games Expenditure Credit to better support both small and large studios will ensure we continue to attract investment, create jobs, and produce world-leading games. We want to guarantee the future of an industry that delivers both cultural and economic value to the UK”Maria Sayans, CEO ustwo games.

The post Ukie calls on Government to press start on growth by reforming the Video Games Expenditure Credit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Grace Media partners with IGP bingo brands in the UK

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Grace Media, the leading provider of white-label online gaming solutions, has partnered with Inter Group Partner Holding’s (IGP) bingo brands to deliver operational support across their UK portfolio.

The partnership will see Grace Media provide a range of solutions to IGP’s well-known UK-facing bingo brands, UK Bingo, Chitchat Bingo, Bogof Bingo, and Panda Bingo, the fastest-growing Bingo brand in the industry at the moment.

Grace Media will support the brands across CRM, compliance, payments, fraud protection and more, with a focus on enhancing the player experience and driving sustainable growth.

Lars Söderlund, Business Director and Co-Founder of IGP, said: “Partnering with Grace Media gives us access to a proven operational engine with the expertise to elevate our UK bingo portfolio. Their track record speaks for itself, and we’re looking forward to working closely with the Grace Media team to take these brands to the next level.”

Grace Media Head of Revenue and Partnerships Chris Prentice said: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming IGP to the Grace Media network. We’re all about providing the support operators need to thrive in the UK market, and we’re confident our model will help IGP’s brands unlock new opportunities over the coming months and years.”

In February, Grace Media strengthened its leadership team with four senior appointments, including industry veterans James Goodliffe and Frazer McNaughton, and internal promotions for Chris Prentice and Gary Barber.

The post Grace Media partners with IGP bingo brands in the UK appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Evoplay releases explosive gameplay in Lava Burst

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has launched Lava Burst, a high-volatility slot packed with exciting features to boost player engagement.

Played on a 4×3 grid, the game’s core mechanics are the Bonus Game and Ultra Bonus Game. Both begin with three spins, and each new symbol that lands reset the counter. The round continues until all 12 positions are filled or no spins remain.
The Ultra Bonus Game guarantees activation of the Lava Burst feature, where one to twelve fire comets strike random cells on the reels. Each strike applies an x2 multiplier, which increases if the same position is hit more than once.

Supporting features include Mystic Symbols, which transform into another icon at the end of the Bonus or Ultra Bonus Game, and the Mystic Jackpot Symbol, which guarantees a Mini (25x), Minor (50x), or Major (100x) jackpot. The Grand jackpot (x1000) is awarded by collecting all 12 bonus symbols of any type.
The Black Hole collects the value of all previously landed Bonus symbols and jackpots, increasing the overall win potential.

All Coin symbols carry bet multipliers – Bonus Coins appear with values from x1 to x4, while Heavy Coins land only in the base game with higher values of x5 to x9. Heavy Coins remain locked on the reels until the Bonus or Ultra Bonus Game begins, unless the bet is changed. The Bonus Game is triggered by landing four symbols on the central line, initiating a round with three spins. Each new Bonus symbol resets the spin count, and winnings are awarded only in the Bonus or Ultra Bonus Game, where all landed Bonus symbol values are totalled at the end.
Lava Burst combines high-impact visuals with layered bonus features, offering operators a strong addition to their slot portfolios.

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Lava Burst offers something fresh, with mechanics that keep players invested throughout the session.
“From the escalating multipliers to the strategic bonus features, we’ve created a slot that’s built for performance and player appeal.”

The post Evoplay releases explosive gameplay in Lava Burst appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Relax Gaming plots the ultimate heist in latest release Cash in Transit

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Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, is pulling off the ultimate heist for cash in its heart-racing new release Cash in Transit.

This highly volatile 5×4 slot sees players join a cunning gang of thieves in the City of London, attempting to commit the ultimate crime and get away with prizes worth up to 10,000x.

The action begins when three or more Bonus Symbols land, unlocking the game’s Bonus Reels. Players are awarded three respins, which reset with every new symbol that drops. As reels fill with loot, up to two additional reels can be unlocked, increasing the chances of landing valuable symbols and hitting big wins.

A range of criminally clever features can be triggered when special symbols such as the Cash Bag, Bag Man, Lock Smith, Gov’Nor, Pawn Broker, Detective and Constable land on the reels. Each symbol brings unique abilities to the chase, from revealing and collecting all visible values and amplifying symbol values to bringing non-persistent symbols to life again.

Persistent variants of these character symbols can appear, raising the stakes even more, triggering their abilities at the end of each spin and pushing players toward a genuinely successful heist.

Shelley Hannah, CPO at Relax Gaming, said: “Cash in Transit has all the makings of a legendary Relax Gaming slot. With a truly thrilling bonus reel mechanic that showcases a cunning gang of criminals, we think players will revel in the high-octane action and enjoy the engaging London heist theme with Bonus symbols and respins also up for grabs.”

The post Relax Gaming plots the ultimate heist in latest release Cash in Transit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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